Where to Direct Your Holiday Generosity

A growing number of Orange County’s middle-class and low-income families are facing a meager holiday this year, in part because of the area’s high cost of living. Many local organizations, agencies and churches are trying to make the holidays brighter for needy families.

Share Our Selves

1550 Superior Ave.

Costa Mesa 92627

(714) 642-3451 or 549-2001

After a long hiatus, SOS is opening again this week. And for the 21st year, the agency is conducting an adopt-a-family program, in which donors provide a Christmas food basket and gifts for children in the family. More than 1,200 families need to be adopted, many with five or more children. Other donations of food and gifts are also being accepted, with toy donations requested by Dec. 20 and food donations requested by Dec. 21.

Salvation Army

1011 S. East St., Anaheim 92805

(714) 635-1383

The Salvation Army is conducting its annual red kettle program to aid underprivileged families and senior citizens. Last year, more than $100,000 was collected. The goal this year is $150,000 to $160,000.

The agency is also conducting an adopt-a-family program. Individuals, families or businesses provide enough food for two days during the holiday season and provide children under 12 with a toy or clothing. The commitment is generally $150 to $200 per family.

Olive Crest Homes

1300 N. Kellogg Drive, Suite D

Anaheim 92807

(714) 777-4999, Ext. 125

Olive Crest, which operates 26 homes for abused, abandoned or neglected children in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, is seeking donations for the holiday season.

Needed are housewares, such as packaged, twin-size bedsheets and bath towel sets. Nearly each of the 150 teen-agers living at the homes also requested gift certificates for clothing and shoes, so they can choose their own. Gift certificates for amusement parks and other entertainment are also appreciated.

Olive Crest also needs volunteers to work the center’s wish-list tree at local malls. The volunteer shifts are two hours long and on weekends. Gifts, which are tax deductible, need to be received at the center by Tuesday.

Operation Santa Claus

(714) 834-6394

Since 1962, Operation Santa Claus, sponsored by the County Social Services Agency and the Orange County Fire Department, collects gifts for abused or neglected children, the elderly, disabled adults and the homeless.

Donations are requested of new toys and clothes for everyone from infants to adults. Donations for teen-agers are particularly needed. Gift certificates to record stores are popular with teen-agers. Volunteers are also needed to help sort the gifts at Orangewood Children’s Home.

Toys can be dropped off at Orange County Fire Department stations, as well as at Orangewood Children’s Home, 401 The City Drive, Orange, or the Social Services Agency, 1440 E. 1st St., Santa Ana.

Orange Coast College students are also collecting gifts for this project through Friday. Unwrapped gifts may be dropped off at the Associated Students office Monday through Friday.

Toys for Tots

El Toro Marine Corps Air Station

(714) 726-6746

Now in its 43rd year, Toys for Tots provides gifts to such agencies as the Feedback Foundation, the Interfaith Shelter and Head Start programs.

The following collection sites will accept new, unwrapped toys or other gifts:

All Fullerton and Garden Grove city fire stations; Volt Temporary Services, 7441 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove 92641; Household Finance, 4125 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim 92807; MainPlace/Santa Ana, 2800 N. Main St.; the Roxburgh, 245 Fischer St., B4, Costa Mesa 92626; Pacific First Bank, 234 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa 92627; Mr. Paint, 7391 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach; National Bank of Southern California, 3951 S. Plaza Drive, Santa Ana 92704; Galardia Group Inc., 4440 Von Karman Ave., Newport Beach 92660; Tri-Care, 2921 S. Daimler St., Santa Ana 92705, and Chapman College, 333 N. Glassell St., Orange.

Real Help

12432 9th St., Garden Grove, 92640

(714) 741-6538

A coalition of Garden Grove churches, social service agencies and individuals will be holding its third annual Christmas dinner at the Garden Grove United Methodist Church, 12741 Main St. Free turkey dinner will be served from 2 to 5 p.m.

The coalition needs volunteers Dec. 22 and Dec. 23 and on Christmas Day. Donations of toys, blankets, gift certificates, disposable razors and toothbrushes and money are requested.

Stanton Recreation and Leisure Services Department

Food for Thought

10660 Western Ave., Stanton 90680

(714) 220-2220

Food, toys and clothing donations are accepted through Monday. Items collected are distributed to needy families in the Stanton area.

The Saddleback Valley Exchange Club

P.O. Box 444, El Toro 92630

Donations of canned foods are asked, some of which will go to families of GIs on duty in the Persian Gulf. Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to the above address, or food can be dropped off at the following locations:

BackPain Center, Dr. Robert Tolley, 24551 Raymond Way, El Toro 92630, (714) 581-7711; Landmark Bank, Don Austgen, 15771 Rockfield Blvd., Irvine 92718, (714) 951-6734; Frank Heller, lawyer, El Dorado Bank Building, 24012 Calle de la Plata, Suite 405, Laguna Hills 92653, (714) 951-3216; Alicia Printing, Bruce Conrey, 24714 E. Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills 92653, (714) 830-8222; Laguna Hills Racquet Club, 23500 Clubhouse Drive, Laguna Niguel 92677, (714) 496-4665; Hilliard & Hodge Insurance Brokers Inc., Bill Orr, 10 Hughes, A205, Irvine 92718, (714) 458-0442.

Irvine Valley College

Supportive Services

5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine 92720

(714) 559-3243 or 559-3217

Irvine Valley College is also holding an adopt-a-family project to help low-income, single-parent families. Through Dec. 19, faculty, students staff and the community are invited to prepare holiday food and toy baskets or make cash donations. Those who adopt families will be provided with information on the age and sex of each child in the family. In 1989, the project served 125 families.

Tustin Unified School District

Health Services Department, 300 S. C St., Tustin 92680

(714) 730-7322

The Tustin Unified School District is holding a food and toy drive for needy families. Canned goods and unwrapped toys may be brought to local schools or donations may be sent to the above address.

Friends in Service to Humanity (FISH)

Harbor Area

(714) 642-6060 or 645-8050

FISH will deliver Christmas baskets to people in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Irvine and distribute gifts to children. The agency also has an adopt-a-family program for Christmas. Although most donations will be delivered Dec. 20, they can be made up until the last minute. Last year, FISH helped about 150 families.

Eli Home Inc.

142 S. Imperial Highway, Anaheim 92807

(714) 921-1940

Donations of food, toys or housewares are sought for this emergency shelter program for children and their mothers aimed at preventing child abuse.

Orange County Rescue Mission

1901 W. Walnut St., Santa Ana 92703

(714) 835-0499

The Rescue Mission will serve a traditional dinner on Christmas at 11 a.m. and will give gifts to everyone who attends. Donations of food and gifts for women, children and men are requested, as well as volunteers to help serve the dinner and donations of food.

Last year 5,500 people were fed; more are expected this year. “It’s the biggest day of the year for us,” said John Lands, executive director.

Delhi Community Center

542 E. Central Ave., Santa Ana 92707

(714) 549-1317

The center is holding Navidad El Barrio, a food distribution program for needy people. Food baskets will be provided to 350 families. Donations of food and toys are requested, with a planned distribution date of Dec. 22.

Episcopal Service Alliance

The alliance is seeking donations of food, clothing and money for its various locations:

1011 S. East St., Anaheim 92805, (714) 776-7510; 525 Main St., Huntington Beach 92648, (714) 960-2254; 150 Avenida Pico, San Clemente 92672, (714) 492-8211. 614 Bush St., Santa Ana 92701, (714) 953-9170. 31676 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach 92677, (714) 499-4224. Donations will also be accepted at the agency’s two shelters, Martha House in Orange, (714) 639-5323 or Anchor House in San Clemente, (714) 492-5450

Southern California Indian Center Inc.

P.O. Box 2550, Garden Grove 92642

(714) 530-0221

The group plans a children’s Christmas party Friday in Long Beach for about 2,000 Southern California American Indian children. It is seeking cash donations and food for the party and for holiday baskets.

Catholic Charities

2829 W. 1st St., Santa Ana 92703

(714) 543-3924

Donations of food and such basic items as toothbrushes and toothpaste, blankets and towels are requested. Las Posadas, a traditional event, will be held Dec. 20 for about 400 children. Each child will get a Christmas stocking; toy donations are requested for that.

Southwest Community Center

1601 W. 2nd St., Santa Ana 92703

(714) 543-8933

Donations of canned goods, toys, clothing and gift certificates for fast-food outlets are sought. About 500 families have registered for an adopt-a-family program. Food baskets will be distributed to senior citizens and families. Volunteers are needed from Monday to Dec. 22.

Huntington Beach Junior Woman’s Club

P.O. Box 1804, Huntington Beach 92647

(714) 962-3863

The club is sponsoring Operation Merry Christmas, in which about 2,200 people in Huntington Beach, Westminster, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Seal Beach and Santa Ana receive a week’s supply of food. Toys are also collected and distributed to the children ages 14 and younger.

Donations of food, clothing, gifts and money are also requested by:

St. Vincent De Paul Society, St. Justin Martyr Parish, 2050 W. Ball Road, Anaheim 92804, (714) 774-2595.

The Friendly Center, 147 W. Rose Ave., Orange 92666, (714) 771-5300.

El Modena Center, 18672 E. Center St., Orange 92669, (714) 532-3452.

Neighborhood Services Center, 1141 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana 92701, (714) 835-3097.